It’s the piano riff that started it all. When David Guetta tapped one of the non-Beyoncé factions of Destiny’s Child to sing on his 2009 crossover megahit, it introduced the French producer to a whole new audience, many of whom were hungry for this thing called EDM and these people called DJs. “Love” became Guetta’s first entry on the Hot 100 and repositioned Kelly Rowland as a solo vocalist with chops on her own. Other collaborations (2010’s “Commander”) never hit as hard, but Rowland’s vocal arpeggios are now an indelible part of dance music history, as the warning shot of the impending EDM takeover of America.

Q: Why did you decide to make Rider your only college campus stop on your tour?

A: Well I’m happy that I did, above anything, because you all have the best energy and I swear I’m not just saying that. From the moment we had sound check today, it was just good vibes. Everything about it was just good vibes, and I’m happy that it worked.

Q: On your new record, you did a lot of collaborations with different artists, producers and songwriters. Do you have any plans for future collaborations? Who would be your dream collaboration?

A: Dream collaboration, one would be Maxwell, another would be Sadé, another one would be Kanye. I think he’s so talented. I love him.

Q: You’ve been so busy lately in addition to focusing on your music career. How has your experience as a new judge on The X-Factor been? What about your Shape magazine cover and your new ab-workout DVD?

A: I guess I’m not busy at all. It’s been a lot of fun. You make time for whatever you want to make time for. The funny part is, even though I just released Talk A Good Game, I’m ready to get back in the studio. You know what I mean? Like, I think about all the good times me and KC [Kevin Cossom, artist and producer] had in the studio with doing Talk A Good Game and now, of course, doing the release of the ab DVD and just being really, for me, a motivator for other women. Men can work out to it as well; it’s about taking care of your body. And The X-Factor has been fun too.

Q: For the Super Bowl, how did it feel being able to have a surprise mini-Destiny’s Child reunion in front of millions of people?

A: I completely forgot where I was — I really did. It’s so crazy because for that seven minutes, we rehearsed – Bey rehearsed even longer – but we rehearsed for about a month and a half, maybe two months for the three minutes. And then it’s so crazy, because you get up there and the time just goes by so fast. I don’t even remember what happened. The only way I remember is from a YouTube clip. But it was the most amazing moment I think I’ve ever had in my life.

Q: A good portion of Rider’s population are performing arts majors. What advice do you have for students who want to pursue a career in the performing arts field?

A: Make sure you know how much work is involved. It’s so much work and it is a passion. I think that so many people get into entertainment for the wrong reasons, and it’s not just about the glitz or glamour. I think that when you have a gift and you put it forward and there’s hard work behind your gift, then you get the benefits and you get to travel the world and meet new people and everything. But make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons.